The Valentine's Day Javelin - Page 6

1. Your pet can be the guest of honour to your Valentine’s celebration.

Many of us love our pets like we do our family, but how many of us consider them in the same light as a significant other? About 3% of pet owners buy their pets a gift for Valentine’s Day, which adds up to a USD $703 million every year. Although this amount seems a bit much, it is almost nothing compared to the USD $18.9 billion spent by couples.

Valentine’sDay

6. Unfortunately, not all that money is put to good use.

15% of U.S. citizens send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day. Around this season, a dozen long-stemmed roses can cost an average of $75, or about 30% more than the normal price of $58. These prices could also be due to the last minute rush to buy roses for your significant other, seeing as how 64% of American men do not make Valentine’s Day plans in advance.

2. Record-Breaking kiss events are held around the world.

"Lovapalooza" is the name given to the special event in the Philippines where people come together in masses to lock lips. More than 5300 couples came together back in 2004, earning its place in the Guiness Book of World Records. The following year, Hungary gathered a record 5875 couples, but it only lasted until 6124 couples locked lips in Pasay to reclaim the record for the Philippines in 2007.

3. Other Valentine’s Day events, however, were taken one step too far.

Previously, the French celebrated a custom called “The Drawing For Love,” where single people would enter into houses that were opposite their own, and call out through the windows to pair up. If a male is not happy with his partner, he could leave her and pair up with someone else. As a consequence, the women who were left single would build a large bonfire and conduct a ceremonial burning of the pictures of the men who rejected them while repeating profanities. Sadly, the situation got out of hand one time too many and the custom was eventually banned by the French government.

4. But the only nation that truly mastered the art of romantic holidays is South Korea.

Black Day, celebrated on April 14th, is in honour of the single folks, who will come together and eat jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce). They will also dress in black and wear black accessories.

5. Men are really generous on Valentine’s Day.

Men spend almost twice as much on Valentine’s Day as women do, averaging at $156, compared to the average woman who only spends $85. Furthermore, while more than one-third of men would prefer not receiving a gift, less than 20% of women feel the same way.